Fortify yourself for the holidays with Alaska seafood, kefirs and farm-fresh eggs

It's mid-November, and the holidays are just around the corner.

Those holidays can present some challenges. And Julie Meer of Farm 779 says she has just the solution.

"New this week and just in time for the stress of the holidays, we are introducing an additional kombucha tea brewed exclusively with Farm 779 peony essence and farm-sourced chaga tea," Meer says. The tea has a "Fabulous light floral flavor with the sought-after properties of Alaskan wild chaga mushroom."

Meer will have the new kombucha at the Thankful Thursdays market inside the Mall at Sears. Farm 779 also will have a new balm featuring those same peonies. "Our sustainable peony farm and apiary produce some of the most sought-after blooms and roots," Meer says. "Grown without chemicals using nature's best practice principles."

Other items from the Farm 779 booth this week include a variety of fermented foods, including Jules Jubliee, a variety of krauts, three coconut kefirs, kefir-reduction dipping sauces, beet kvass, cookies, snacks and body products.
Duane Clark will also be at Thankful Thursdays with carrots, salsa, jams, potatoes, honey and grass-fed beef and yak.

Meer says Farm 779 will also be at the Williwaw Public Market—1st Edition from 1-5 p.m. Saturday. About 20 local artists, crafters and others will be at the market too. Look for the market at 601 F St.

Center Market

Alex Davis says he is well stocked on pork products for this week's Center Market inside the Mall at Sears. The market is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

"If you are interested in fresh ham I have ham steaks, I have loin roasts, and I have suckling pigs available for your fall feasting," Davis says. "My wife has been making lots of jam. We will fill a table with it. Too many varieties to list. All are wonderful but some are in short supply. If you wish to have full options you may want to come early."

Additionally, Davis has a selection of vegetables, including green cabbage, kohlrabi, red and golden beets, carrots, potatoes and Brussels sprouts. He also has eggs.

Davis also will have sprouts, micro greens, tofu and basil from Alaska Sprouts; barley products from Alaska Flour Co.; Evie's Brinery's kimchi and krauts; Windy River Farm's grass fed beef; and Tonia's Biscotti items.

Rempel Family Farm will be at Saturday's market with carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, collards, daikon, kale, sugar pumpkins, jumbo pink banana squash, acorn squash, tomatoes, spaghetti squash, snow apple turnips, kohlrabi, beets, green cabbage, purple onions and several varieties of potatoes. The Rempels also have yak meat.

Alaska Seeds of Change will be at Saturday's market with chervil, dill, stevia, Thai basil, Genovese basil, parsley, chives, cabbage and strawberries.

Also look for Wild Child fermented salsa; Alaska Fisherman Seafood Direct with smoked black cod, shrimp, halibut and more; Mosquito Mama balsamic vinegar; Northern Lights Mushrooms; Doggy Decadence; Jonsers, with hand-crafted nectar; Monica's Convection Connection; and Earthworks Farm.

Lots of eggs

Just like their chickens, Chris Lawlor and Happy Valley Chickens aren't slowing down despite the chilly weather.

"Even though the outdoor markets have closed, I am still selling our farm-fresh eggs," Lawlor says. "My birds don't stop laying."

Look for Lawlor—and about 100 dozen eggs weekly—from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at 15th Avenue and Cordova Street (site of the Anchorage Farmers Market) and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the O'Malley Centre (site of the South Anchorage Farmers Market).

"People can still get their farm-fresh eggs all winter," Lawlor says.

Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.

Local farmers markets

Wednesday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Thursday in Anchorage: Thankful Thursdays market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Friday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.

Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.

Sunday in Anchorage: Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.